Congress Stands Up for Women’s Health

WASHINGTON, DC — Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) today applauded members of Congress who stood up for women's health and overwhelmingly defeated an amendment to H.R. 3043, the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill. The amendment, if passed, would have denied family planning services to millions of women, men and teens by restricting federal family planning funds from going to Planned Parenthood affiliate health centers.

PPFA Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy Nancy Clack issued the following statement on the vote:

"For more than 90 years Planned Parenthood has provided women, men and teens with the health care services and education they need to make responsible decisions and plan their families. Planned Parenthood applauds members of Congress for defeating this outrageous attack on family planning and the more than 2.4 million women and men who rely on Planned Parenthood for birth control each year.

"Birth control is basic health care and women and couples should have access to it. Nearly 17 million low-income women in the U.S. need subsidized family planning services, and there is not enough funding to meet the need. Hardliners should stop playing politics and start focusing on real solutions. On behalf of the women and families who rely on Planned Parenthood for birth control each year, we urge lawmakers to stop the political games and join with Planned Parenthood to put prevention first."

Every year, Planned Parenthood provides millions of women, men and teens with health care information and services. For more information about Planned Parenthood's Prevention First agenda, visit www.plannedparenthood.org.